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UMCOR Promotes Fair Trade Cup of Cocoa
Abel Fernandez wants United Methodists to buy
fair trade cocoa products. Fernandez, who is
production and export manager for the National
Confederation of Dominican Cocoa Producers, says
that buying cocoa produced by the 9,000 small
farmers who belong to the organization will
improve the lives of the farmers and their
communities in the Dominican Republic.
Date posted:Oct 31, 2003
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God speaks his Word in many different
languages. People gathered to hear and listen
for that Word at a conference in Dallas with
participants from across the U.S., Eastern
Europe and the Balkans.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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For the United Methodist Church in Bulgaria, a
stolen church bell has come to symbolize God’s
covenant with a faithful people. The Methodist
Church in Varna was founded in 1885 by Trico
Constantine, who held Bulgarian and American
citizenship. He was a member of the Minnesota
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
1892, the Baltimore Conference sent a steeple
bell to the Varna church for the dedication of
its new building. By 1915, the building had to
be enlarged to accommodate the growing
congregation.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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The first Methodist missionaries in Hungary
arrived from Austria and Germany in 1889 to work
among German immigrants. By the beginning of
World War I, the church had grown to 1000
members, most of them Hungarian. But the church
lost many members to Yugoslavia when Hungary
lost two-thirds of its former territory after
World War I.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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The Methodist Church in Poland was established
in 1921. The church developed out of relief
efforts conducted by the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, after World War I. Until 1939,
missionaries conducted the business of the
church. Leadership was handed over to national
leaders in 1940. In 1945, Poland gave official
recognition to the church. About a third of the
Methodist churches were lost during World War II
because the country surrendered territory to
other neighboring countries in Eastern Europe.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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The Provisional Annual Conference of The United
Methodist Church in the Czech and Slovak
Republics spans two countries, two governments,
and two currencies. The conference operates with
two districts, the Czech District and the Slovak
District. The Czech District receives salary
support from the government, which still
compensates workers. The Slovak District is
supported to a lesser degree by its government.
Members tithe 10 percent of their income, and 10
percent of what comes from the congregations
supports the district offices.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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Methodism came to Yugoslavia by way of a monthly
news magazine published in German by German-
speaking Methodists in the United States.
Because of a magazine article, a group in Backa
(Vojvodina) discovered that there was a
Methodist congregation in Vienna, Austria. They
were drawn to the denomination because of a
common interest in temperance. They invited the
Vienna pastor to Backa in 1897, and thus the
church was born, despite the fact that the new
religion was soon persecuted and its newly
appointed pastor imprisoned.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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The salary budget of the UMC in the Czech
Republic is covered by the Czech
government. The state announced it will reduce
this salary support, but when this will happen
or how much it will be reduced is unknown at
this time.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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We need to look at the annual conference data
against the backdrop of the rapid growth of the
US Hispanic population during the 1990s.
We
should also consider that census numbers for
Hispanics are usually underestimated because
many Hispanics are not counted. Still, these
increased numbers are important for us to
reflect upon because they show the challenge
that God continues to place before us. More
Hispanic people than ever before need to hear
and experience the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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High-risk drinking and its consequences on
college campuses around the United States are
always on the minds of administrators, parents,
and community leaders. Numerous programs and
approaches to bring awareness, change behavior,
and change the overall drinking culture on
campuses have been developed and tested.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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Every four years representatives of the global
United Methodist Church meet in a General
Conference to consider policies and program for
our denomination. For at least two decades, the
General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)
prepared pre-General Conference “mission papers”
for distribution to delegates. This year we are
doing something different.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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Ten years ago, General Conference delegates
united in response to the social, economic, and
spiritual devastation of riots in Los Angeles.
The response was Communities of
Shalom, “churches and communities working
together to renew and rebuild community life.”
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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How does a church find the remnants of a
congregation after 50 years of repression and
systematic dismantling of religious institutions
by the state? Is it worth digging into the past
to find the answer?
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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Debt Relief and Girls' Education -- UMW Action Alert
Girls’ education is an important factor in
trying
to reduce poverty and make the world a better
place for both women and men. The World Bank
and
IMF debt relief program has already shown some
success stories.
Date posted:Oct 30, 2003
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A missionary couple is coming out of retirement
to direct the highly successful Russian
Initiative of the General Board of Global
Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Dr. C. Jarrell Tyson and Natalie
Ann Tyson served in Moscow for seven years
before retiring in mid-2002. On January 1,
2004, they will succeed the Rev. Dr. Bruce
Weaver, who is stepping down after heading the
Russia Initiative since its start in the early
1990s.
Date posted:Oct 29, 2003
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UMCOR Allocates More 9/11 Grants
United Methodist Committee on Relief directors
approved 12 grants during their annual meeting.
UMCOR now has committed nearly all the $21.5
million raised by United Methodists for the "Love
in the Midst of Tragedy" response to the Sept. 11
tragedy.
Date posted:Oct 28, 2003
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The newly elected top executive of the World
Council of Churches says the organization's most
critical task is helping humans respond to the
brokenness affecting most of the world today.
Date posted:Oct 28, 2003
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Beverly C. Fronda Barte is a missionary of the
General Board of Global Ministries of the United
Methodist Church serving in Cambodia along with
her husband, Emmanuel P. Barte, also a GBGM
missionary. A consecrated deaconess, Beverly
coordinates Christian Education ministries for
Cambodia’s Methodist churches. The following
story celebrates some of Emmanuel’s recent
successes with the Khmer youth.
Date posted:Oct 27, 2003
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The General Secretary of the General Board of
Global Ministries today voiced the
agency’s “firm commitment” to the assignment of
new missionaries and to the support of
missionaries already in service.
In his semi-annual report to the Board’s
directors, the Rev. R. Randy Day said that he
expected new young adult missionaries and new
deaconesses to be commissioned in 2004. He
indicated that the Board will achieve a
sustainable level of mission personnel by 2005.
Date posted:Oct 25, 2003
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World AIDS Day 2003: Live and Let Live
Along with others throughout the world, United
Methodists observe World AIDS Day on December 1
or a Sunday close to this date. This year's
theme, chosen by the World AIDS Campaign,
is "Live and Let Live." This two-year campaign
(2002-2003) will focus on eliminating stigma and
discrimination. UNAIDS says, "Help us fight fear,
shame, ignorance and injustice worldwide."
Date posted:Oct 24, 2003
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Two years of budget constraints have changed how
the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries
does its work, but the financial pressures have
not altered its commitment to mission, according
to the agency's top executive.
The Rev. R. Randy Day told board directors he
believes the agency's organizational
transition "can revitalize and empower,"
allowing it to "assess our assets, weigh our
mission choices, and to prepare ourselves as
God's servants and witnesses for vital Christian
mission in this new century."
Date posted:Oct 24, 2003
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President's Report Women's Division Board of Directors Meeting
And so, we continue the journey that
was begun almost 135 years ago. Those small
groups of committed women, motivated by the
gospel, gave their time, skills and resources to
the movement that today is United Methodist
Women. And from the time of those women, to the
million members of today, we still hear God
calling us to participate in God’s mission.
Date posted:Oct 23, 2003
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Report of Deputy General Secretary Women's Division Board of Directors Meeting
Since the April meeting of the Women’s Division,
the division staff has been involved in revising
staff position descriptions; restructuring
supervisory relationships; assuming new
responsibilities; and saying good-bye to
colleagues that took early retirement due to the
change in pension benefits.
Date posted:Oct 23, 2003
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In an effort to support women who are struggling
with all the
options of unintended pregnancies, the Women's
Division voted to
co-sponsor "Save Women's Lives: March for
Freedom of Choice" in
Washington, D.C. on April 25.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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Israel led air strikes, the U.S. President
toured Asia, and the
economy struggled this weekend. During that
time, United Methodist
Women's Division directors addressed those
issues and more - trying
to give a voice to women and children who might
be lost amidst the
struggles.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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There are many organizations that bring worship
and Bible study
to inmates in prison. But United Methodist
Women in Kansas have helped
incarcerated women find something more - an
opportunity to minister to
those outside prison walls. And that's what has
attracted women in
prison to the organization.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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Giving by members of United Methodist Women has
remained strong in 2003, despite a general dip
in donations throughout the denomination.
Directors of the Women's Division of the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries, which
serves as United Methodist Women's
administrative body, received that news during
their Oct. 17-20 annual meeting.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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For years, it has been almost impossible to get
to a worship service at the East Belfast
Mission, attend a seniors lunch or go to a youth
group meeting without confronting images of
violence and terror.
They are literally painted on the walls.
Paramilitary murals, as they are called, can
cover the whole side of a house and often pay
tribute to those who have used guns and bombs to
make their opinions heard during 30 years of
violence between Catholic and Protestant.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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Methodists are backing a new restorative justice
program that helps young people face the real
consequences of their antisocial behavior.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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Down the road from the East Belfast Mission is
Harland and Wolff, the shipbuilders famous for
building the Titanic.
The yard once employed more than 30,000 from
East Belfast's neighborhoods. Now, barely a
hundred workers are left. It is just one reason
this working class Protestant community is said
to be the fifth from the bottom in terms of the
worst places to live in Northern Ireland. Three
decades of sectarian violence during Northern
Ireland's "Troubles" have not helped.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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Treasurer' Report -- Women's Division Board Meeting
In preparation for the 135th Anniversary of
our organization, I have noted that the book of
James must have been a guiding principle for our
foremothers. Their aim was to share God’s love
around the world and they worked at that with
patience, endurance, persistence and integrity.
They often let their actions speak for them.
Date posted:Oct 21, 2003
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In the Fujian Province of China, people are
drawn to Christianity through the example that
church members set in their everyday lives,
according to a church and seminary leader there.
"We emphasize that every Christian should be a
good citizen in our society," the Rev. Zhihua
Lin told staff of the United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries during an Oct. 14 meeting in
New York.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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Ala Kleibo recently upgraded his skills as an
auto mechanic, and his customers claim he's a
whiz at keeping their cars in top shape.
Yet Kleibo spends hours sitting in his shop in
Bir Nabala drinking cardamom-laced coffee, his
business suffering from the Israeli occupation
of his West Bank town.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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While peace in the Middle East remains elusive,
Action by Churches Together International
continues providing help and hope to people in
the occupied Palestinian territories.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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The right of Palestinians to access quality
health care continues to be impaired by the
Israeli occupation of the Palestinian
territories, so hospitals supported by Action by
Churches Together International are reaching out
in new ways to deliver health care to isolated
and besieged communities.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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One-Million Member Organization Increases Funds, Speaks for Peace
Israel led air strikes, the U.S. President toured
Asia, and the economy struggled this weekend.
During that time, United Methodist Women’s
Division directors addressed those issues and
more – trying to give a voice to women and
children who might be lost amidst the struggles.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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Women's Division Makes Decision and Adheres to Denominational Mandate
Stamford, Conn. -- In an effort to
demonstrate "overwhelming majority support for a
women’s right to choose safe, legal abortion and
birth control," the Women’s Division voted to co-
sponsor "Save Women’s Lives: March for Freedom of
Choice" in Washington, D.C. on April 25.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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Incarcerated Women: In Mission From "The Inside"
There are many organizations that bring worship
and Bible study to inmates in prison. But United
Methodist Women in Kansas have helped
incarcerated women find something more – an
opportunity to minister to those outside prison
walls. And that’s what has attracted women in
prison to the organization.
Date posted:Oct 20, 2003
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Delighted Afghan Children Receive UMCOR School Kits
In Rabat village in the district of Bagram, the
United Methodist Committee on Relief delivered
560 school kits, prepared by United Methodist
volunteers, to boys and girls of primary school
age. UMCOR Afghanistan staff and the school
teachers distributed the kits, a process that
took two hours.
Date posted:Oct 17, 2003
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Schools for Afghan Children
Children in Afghanistan have been especially hard
hit by conflict and political unrest in their
country that lasted over two decades. During
these troubling times, many educators left
Afghanistan, schools were destroyed, and the
children's education system suffered. Since the
end of Taliban rule, the number of Afghan kids
enrolled in schools has tripled to almost three
million but over 70% of the 7,000 school
buildings in Afghanistan have been damaged or
destroyed.
Date posted:Oct 17, 2003
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We have been deeply shocked to learn of the
deaths of our missionary couple,
We have been deeply shocked to learn of the
deaths of our missionary couple,
Dr. Dietmar and Birgit Ziegler. In the early
hours of this Saturday morning,
they were fatally injured in a road accident
just
outside Nairobi on their
way back to Maua. We received the news during
today's meeting of our
Commission on Mission.
Date posted:Oct 16, 2003
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Your Excellency President Laurent Gbagbo and the
First Lady of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire;
President Boni of the Eglise Protestante
Methodiste of Cote d’Ivoire;
Bishop Minor, President of the Council of
Bishops
of The United Methodist Church;
Bishop Innis, Bishop of Liberia, Presiding
bishop
of Côte d’ Ivoire;
Bishops and Reverend Pastors of Côte d’Ivoire,
Ghana, Benin, Togo and other countries;
Honored Evangelists and Probationary Pastors;
Lay Leaders and Women Leaders of the Church;
All church members and friends.
Date posted:Oct 16, 2003
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Chicuque Rural Hospital Doctors Save 12-year-old Boy from Death from Bacterial Meningitis
On a typical day in a town fifteen miles away
from Chicuque Rural Hospital, Hortensia
Martinique, a 46 year-old widow tends her farm.
Her vibrant 12 year-old son, Felisberto, and his
six brothers work alongside her.
Date posted:Oct 14, 2003
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In ceremonies lasting three days in early
October, the Protestant Methodist Church of Côte
d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) became a mission of The
United Methodist Church. It took the name
Eglise Methodiste Unie Côte d’Ivoire. It was a
church celebration with international meaning
for the West African, French-speaking nation.
Date posted:Oct 14, 2003
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Roland Fernandes will serve as interim treasurer
of the General Board of Global Ministries.
His appointment was announced today by the Rev.
R. Randy Day, general secretary of the mission
agency of The United Methodist Church.
Date posted:Oct 14, 2003
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"I am revived!" was my parting goodbye to my
fellow United Methodist Women
after Children's Sabbath at Christ United
Methodist Church in Mobile,
Alabama. From the moment the lights dimmed and
it became really dark in the
sanctuary until the closing song, "I Will Follow
Him" my heart was
remarkably warmed.
Date posted:Oct 12, 2003
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Churchwide Appeal for USA Domestic Disasters
The United Methodist Council of Bishops has
called for a Churchwide Appeal for USA Domestic
Disasters, asking United Methodists to take a
special offering on October 19, 2003 or another
Sunday in October or early November. The United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) already is
responding to these disasters through annual
conference disaster relief coordinators and our
faith-based partners. Funds from this appeal will
enable continued assistance, including emergency
cleanup, materials for reconstruction of damaged
homes and long-term recovery plans.
Date posted:Oct 11, 2003
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Vignettes: Churchwide Appeal for USA Domestic Disasters
As these vignettes of calamity and hope show,
United Methodists, through the United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR), work to discover the
most constructive ways to respond when the most
vulnerable experience the effects of natural
disasters. Resources provided by the connectional
church reinforce local relief and recovery
efforts.
Date posted:Oct 10, 2003
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UMCOR Appeals for U.S. Disaster Response Funds
A series of major storms has taxed the United
Methodist Church's relief agency, virtually
depleting its funds for responding to future
disasters in the United States. The United
Methodist Committee on Relief is launching a
churchwide appeal Oct. 19 to replenish its funds.
Agency leaders are urging local churches to take
an offering on that date or soon after.
Date posted:Oct 10, 2003
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October 5 started out like any other Sunday
morning; rush to get the kids ready, get to
church, find a seat, give up on the kids
behaving, bring them to the nursery, find
another seat, phew just in time.
Date posted:Oct 06, 2003
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Help Revive Health Services at Ganta Hospital
In northeastern Liberia, Ganta United Methodist
Hospital lies in ruins, shot up and looted by
government and rebel forces. vocational The
hospital had been treating casualties of the war
without charge. Built in 1926, Ganta United
Methodist Hospital was serving a population of
450,000 from Liberia and neighboring Guinea and
Côte d'Ivoire.
Date posted:Oct 06, 2003
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In September, news reports announced the number
of families living in poverty in the United
States -- those surviving on $18,400 or less a
year for a family of four -- increased. News
reports failed to emphasize that those families
include children.
Date posted:Oct 01, 2003
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